ROH: New Beginnings

[Just Juice]

Episode Nine

Honor 101 would begin with custom video package showing a highlight reel of some of the best and fast paced action that had featured on previous episodes as well as over major shows in the promotion's short history as 'My Last Serenade' by Killswitch Engage. The camera would then cut to Dave Prazak who would talk about the second year of Ring of Honor having officially begun with the first round of matches in the X-Division Championship Tournament. Dave Prazak would hype up the tournament and talk about the strong potential that this second singles championship would offer in raising the overall prestige of the promotion. Jeff Gorman would add that considering how competitive ROH was proving to be, it was very possible that the winner of the tournament would one day become a ROH World Champion.

* * *

- Match One - X-Division Tournament -
| Sterling James Keenan vs. Petey Williams |
The early going was a masterclass in pace control. Williams tried to quicken things with fluid arm drags and headscissor takeovers, while Keenan slowed the rhythm down, grounding his opponent with precision strikes and methodical holds. Keenan repeatedly used the ropes and corners to his advantage, keeping Williams trapped and frustrated. Williams fought back with his trademark explosiveness ducking a clothesline and springboarding into a dropkick that sent Keenan reeling. The momentum swung back and forth, with Keenan landing a nasty short-arm lariat for a close near fall, followed by a series of knees to the midsection that nearly took the wind out of the smaller man. As the 15-minute time limit began to approach, the crowd grew restless, sensing urgency. Williams avoided a MK Ultra DDT, countering it into a wheelbarrow facebuster, then signaled for the end. The fans rose as he connected with the Canadian Destroyer, stunning Keenan and earning the decisive three-count with just under two minutes left on the clock.

Winner: Petey Williams

After the match, Williams celebrated to a standing ovation and it was a big win consider SJK was a former tag team champion, Keenan, meanwhile, sat on the mat glaring at him no handshake offered, no words exchanged, just cold resentment for what was very much a terrible and unexpected start for a man who was considered by many as a hot prospect but had no find himself as the bottom of the pecking order.

* * *

- Match Two - X-Division Tournament -
| Shane Helms vs. Tony Mamaluke |
From the opening bell, Mamaluke wrestled like a man with something to prove. He immediately targeted Helms’ arm, grounding the high-flyer with punishing armbars and joint manipulation. Helms, ever the resilient performer, tried to create distance with his speed hitting a basement dropkick and a flying neckbreaker that briefly swung momentum his way. But Mamaluke’s relentless mat game controlled the majority of the match. Every time Helms tried to go to the air, Mamaluke cut him off — first with a dragon screw, then with a beautifully executed northern lights suplex that nearly earned him the pin. As the minutes ticked down, the crowd grew louder, willing Helms to rally. He connected with a Shining Wizard in the final minute, but couldn’t make the cover in time. When the bell rang at the 15-minute mark, both men collapsed to the mat, completely spent.

Result: Time Limit Draw

While Shane Helms survived, Tony Mamaluke walked away looking like the more dominant competitor, clearly frustrating Helms. Jeff Gorman would make note that Mamaluke’s technical dominance had made a strong statement and surely he was someone to watch for the rest ouf tournament.

* * *

Backstage Pamela Paulshock would be joined by Elix Skipper who not only was wrestling against Jerry Lynn tonight in the X-Division Tournament but was the man who had very much cost Christopher Daniels the ROH World Championship at the Anniversary Show. Elix Skipper would reveal that he had been made an offer he simply couldn't refuse and would confirm that money had exchanged hands and he was certainly richer for his involvement. Skipper would then reveal that he was no longer aligned with Triple X as he had no intention of playing third fiddle and instead was had joined 'The Franchise' as there was no one he could gain more insight and wisdom from then Shane Douglas.

* * *

- Match Three - X-Division Tournament -
| Jerry Lynn vs. Elix Skipper |
The X-Division Tournament continued with a marquee matchup between two world-class athletes Jerry Lynn, the veteran technician currently leading his Best of Five series with AJ Styles, and Elix Skipper, the lightning-fast opportunist who recently shocked the wrestling world by betraying Christopher Daniels at the Anniversary Show. The crowd buzzed with anticipation, still hot from the fallout of Triple X’s implosion, and Lynn wasted no time setting the tone. From the opening lock-up, he grounded Skipper with textbook chain wrestling, forcing him into defensive positions and showcasing why he’s one of the most respected veterans in the sport. Skipper’s agility kept him alive walking the top rope with ease and dropping Lynn with a springboard spinning heel kick that drew audible gasps. He taunted the crowd a clearly relishing his newfound spotlight. But Lynn, composed and unflappable, waited for the right moment to strike back. The pace quickened halfway through as Lynn unleashed a flurry of offense a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, a flying crossbody, and a cradle DDT for a close two-count. Skipper tried to end it with his Play of the Day finisher, but Lynn countered mid-motion, rolling through into the Cradle Piledriver to score the decisive three-count.

Winner: Jerry Lynn

After the match, Lynn helped Skipper to his feet in a show of respect, only for Skipper to shove him away and roll out of the ring, glaring back angrily. The crowd applauded Lynn’s effort, who career still wasn't secure until his match series with AJ Styles came to a conclusion still needed just one more win. Skipper on the other hand clearly had been hoping to pick up a win now as a member of 'The Franchise'.

* * *

- Main Event - X-Division Tournament -
| AJ Styles vs. Monty Brown |
The first week of the X-Division Tournament closed with a clash of styles literally and figurativel as the high-flying, innovative AJ Styles faced the powerhouse predator of The Kill Team, Monty Brown. The match was billed as “speed vs. strength,” and it delivered that and more in a hard-hitting main event that left the crowd buzzing. From the start, Styles played the smart game, using movement and misdirection to stay one step ahead of the heavier Brown. He opened with dropkicks, evasive counters, and lightning-quick forearms, trying to wear down the former NFL star before he could find his rhythm. Brown, however, only needed one shot to change everything every time he landed a strike, Styles felt it. Five minutes in, Brown caught Styles mid-springboard and launched him across the ring with a fallaway slam that sent shockwaves through the crowd. Styles regrouped, hitting a sudden Pele Kick to shift momentum, followed by a Springboard Moonsault DDT for a close two-count. The two men traded bursts of offense Styles dazzling with agility, Brown retaliating with raw power until both collapsed in exhaustion. The finish came when Styles attempted a Phenomenal Forearm, springboarding from the ropes with perfect height and precision only for Brown to explode forward and Pounce him clean out of the air. The collision drew a thunderous reaction as Brown covered Styles for the three-count.

Winner: Monty Brown

After the bell, Brown roared over his fallen opponent, shouting “Welcome to the Serengeti!” as the crowd erupted. Styles, clutching his ribs, nodded in grudging respect knowing he had been caught by a perfect strike. Gorman praised it as one of the defining moments declaring that Monty Brown’s mix of power and presence made him an instant favorite to win the entire competition. The show closed with Brown standing tall, pointing to the Kill Team insignia on his gear, while AJ limped from the ring, as he would be passed by Minoru Suzuki and Ronn Killings who would come to offer their support for Monty's victory.​

 

[K-Fabe]

Hey Just Juice.

A Year of Honor was a great show. I didn't mind Daniels losing the title so soon due to the way he lost. Going to be fun to see him chase the belt.

I'm surprised you have 5 shows dedicated only to the tournament, seemingly putting some storylines on ice. Not a bad thing though. Interesting to see how it all plays out.

I am a big fan of Monty Brown and the Pounce, so glad to see him pick up a victory.

I don't think I can send DMs yet, but perhaps if you message me I am able to respond?

Keep up the great work!

 

[Just Juice]

Episode Ten

Honor 101 would begin with custom video package showing a highlight reel of some of the best and fast paced action that had featured on previous episodes as well as over major shows in the promotion's short history with particular focus on matches that featured men that were taking part in the X-Division Tournament as 'My Last Serenade' by Killswitch Engage would blast out at full volume. As the video package closed Bryan Danielson would stand backstage and actually be joined by Jeff Jarrett.

Double J would make a point to introduce Danielson as the sole survivor from The Anniversary Show and from his point of your the single greatest asset on Ring of Honor's books. He would then shake hands with Danielson and wish him the best of luck and make it clear that he very much thought the best thing for business would be if the 'American Dragon' became the inaugural X-Division Champion. With Danielson alone with the camera, Bryan would state that for now his desire for purity in wrestling and for Pure Rules to become a staple of ROH for now was being put on hold as would make an oath that his primary focus from this point onwards was to wrap the red and gold championship belt and create a legacy in the process. Before walking off and heading to the ring with it now clear he would competing in the first match of the evening.

* * *

- Match One - X-Division Tournament -
| Elix Skipper vs. Bryan Danielson |
The latest chapter of the X-Division Tournament opened with a striking contrast in attitudes and approaches Elix Skipper, still riding high on his controversial betrayal of Christopher Daniels, versus Bryan Danielson, the pure wrestling machine whose precision and discipline have made him the most respected technician in ROH. Although Skipper had failed to win last week he was still clearly riding the waves of what he had done to his former Triple X unit member. Skipper came in cocky, showboating and mocking Danielson before the bell, but his confidence evaporated almost immediately once the match began. Danielson dismantled him from the start no wasted motion, no hesitation. Within the first minute, he had Skipper grounded in a hammerlock, transitioned into a headscissors, and rolled through into a surfboard stretch, forcing Skipper to flail helplessly. Every attempt Skipper made to counter ended with him being taken down again. Danielson’s grappling was surgical working the arm, twisting the wrist, and using short forearms to the jaw that rattled Skipper’s composure. The crowd, initially divided, quickly rallied behind the American Dragon as he dominated with pure, merciless efficiency. After just under five minutes, Danielson caught Skipper’s leg mid-kick, swept him down, and locked in the Cattle Mutilation. Skipper struggled for a few seconds before tapping furiously.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

Danielson didn’t celebrate he simply released the hold, adjusted his wrist tape, and walked straight to the corner to bow to the fans before exiting. He look deeply focused with Prazak theorizing that perhaps Danielson would only celebrate when he had the championship belt in his possession.

* * *

Doug Williams who had originally been meant to team up with BG James, Sean Waltmann and Konnan before being attacked by The Kill Team that had resulted in Ronn Killings taking his place in the match. Doug would speak that candidly about that fact that if Sterling had been a true friend he would never have abandoned him in his hour of need and as he saw it Home & Away was over. Instead he would speak that if he was going to have people watching his back he was going to have to rely on people who had grown up his side of the pond and would spin the camera around to reveal to masked wrestlers.

He would introduce the two younger men as 'The Union' with the men (from left-to-right) being introduced as Windsor & Regent and that these two men may be rookies in Ring of Honor, but he had confidence that these two men would bring the killing to the Kill Team.

* * *

- Match Two - X-Division Tournament -
| AJ Styles vs. Shane Helms |
From the opening bell, both men displayed their signature crispness and creativity, turning the ring into a chessboard of movement and counters. Styles controlled the early exchanges with his explosive agility, landing arm drags and a dropkick that nearly took Helms’ head off. But Helms, the more methodical of the two, slowed the pace, grounding AJ with a headlock takeover and switching smoothly into a series of pin attempts to keep Styles guessing. The crowd stayed hot as the two exchanged near-falls, reversals, and one-upmanship Helms dodging the Phenomenal Dropkick, Styles flipping out of a Swinging Neckbreaker. Midway through the match, both men tumbled to the outside after a double crossbody attempt, drawing applause as they dragged themselves back in before the referee’s count. As the final five minutes ticked down, desperation kicked in. Styles connected with the Pele Kick and followed with the Springboard Moonsault DDT, but Helms kicked out at two-and-a-half. Helms fired back with the Shining Wizard, but Styles rolled to the ropes to break the pin. Both men staggered to their feet, exhausted, as the clock wound down. Helms went for another Wizard, but Styles countered mid-motion into the Styles Clash just as the bell rang.

Result: Time Limit Draw

The crowd gave a standing ovation as both men lay flat on the mat, breathing heavily, each realizing how close they’d come to victory. Afterward, Helms offered a handshake Styles hesitated, then accepted, nodding in respect before rolling out of the ring although at this point both men knew that if they had any hopes of advancing they would both have to win their next two matches in the tournament.

* * *

- Match Three - X-Division Tournament -
| Jerry Lynn vs. Sterling James Keenan |
The X-Division Tournament continued with a fascinating clash between generations the seasoned ring general Jerry Lynn, still riding momentum from his earlier tournament win over Elix Skipper, taking on the dark and cerebral Sterling James Keenan, looking to rebound after a narrow loss to Petey Williams. The match started slowly, with Keenan trying to assert control through deliberate pacing and psychological warfare. He refused to lock up at first, circling Lynn, smirking, and forcing the veteran to chase him around the ring. But Lynn’s patience and experience paid off. When Keenan finally engaged, Lynn snapped him down with an armdrag and transitioned straight into a headlock, setting the tone for a match that would be fought on his terms. Keenan found openings through brute impact, catching Lynn with a knee lift and a short-arm clothesline that flattened him. He followed with calculated offense, targeting Lynn’s lower back to neutralize the veteran’s power-based moves. Lynn, ever resilient, absorbed the punishment and rallied with crisp counters hitting a spinning elbow, a backdrop, and his classic guillotine leg drop over the middle rope to reassert control. In the closing minutes, Keenan tried to end things with his MK Ultra DDT, but Lynn blocked it, shoved him into the ropes, and caught him on the rebound with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. The crowd roared as Lynn signaled for the end, hooking Keenan and planting him with the Cradle Piledriver for the clean three-count.

Winner: Jerry Lynn

After the bell, Lynn offered a brief handshake, but Keenan rolled out of the ring, glaring back in silence his pride wounded having now lost two wins in a row. Whilst for Jerry he was currently looking to be the strong performer out of all ten men involved in the tournament so far.

* * *

- Main Event - X-Division Tournament -
| Paul London vs. Monty Brown |
With Brown coming off a massive win over AJ Styles the week prior, and London still chasing his first marquee victory since his ladder match triumph at Final Battle, both men entered with something to prove with London clearly wanting to begin the tournament with a win to his name. The opening minutes set the tone: speed versus power. London darted around the ring, using feints and quick dropkicks to frustrate Brown, who swung heavy and missed wide early on. But once Brown caught him driving London hard into the corner with a shoulder tackle that nearly folded him in half the tide shifted. The Alpha Male began to maul his smaller opponent, hitting a crushing powerslam and tossing him halfway across the ring with a belly-to-belly suplex that sent the crowd into shock. Still, London refused to stay down. Every time Brown flexed or taunted, London would fire back a standing shooting star press here, a flying forearm there chipping away at the powerhouse with sheer resilience. Midway through, Brown attempted the Pounce, but London rolled through, sending Brown crashing into the turnbuckle before connecting with a springboard dropkick and a standing moonsault for a near fall. As the clock ticked past twelve minutes, both men were running on fumes. Brown hoisted London up for a powerbomb, but London wriggled free, landing on his feet and countering with a superkick to the jaw. He quickly climbed to the top rope, steadied himself, and launched the London Calling (Shooting Star Press) perfectly onto Brown. The crowd erupted as London hooked both legs for the three-count.

Winner: Paul London

Jeff Gorman closed the show declaring it a vital win for Paul London who for many ROH fans was seen as one of the key figures and biggest rising stars during Year One but that with three rounds of the pool stages still to occur the tournament to crown the first ever X-Division Champion was still wide open and that all ten men remained in contention for the strap.​

 

[Just Juice]

Episode Eleven

Honor 101 would begin with custom video package showing a highlight reel of some of the best and fast paced action that had featured on previous episodes as well as over major shows in the promotion's short history with particular focus on matches that featured men that were taking part in the X-Division Tournament as 'My Last Serenade' by Killswitch Engage would blast out at full volume. As the video package closed Jeff Gorman would inform the viewers that tonight opening match would be against SJK and Skipper and that with both men having lost their previous matches, a loss would guarantee they would be unable to advance to the finals at the Best in the World PPV on the 26th April. Dave Prazak would then inform the fans that following an injury and a requirement to recoup from surgery that Steve Corino was sidelined for a number of months form in-ring competition but would be joining himself and Jeff on the commentary desk for the forseeable future.

* * *

- Match One - X-Division Tournament -
| Elix Skipper vs. Sterling James Keenan |
The X-Division Tournament rolled on with two men desperate to rebound Elix Skipper, still smarting from a crushing five-minute loss to Bryan Danielson, and Sterling James Keenan, whose cold, methodical style had yet to translate into tournament success. Both competitors came into this bout with something to prove, and it showed from the opening bell. Skipper immediately asserted his athleticism, using lightning-fast dropkicks and rope-walking theatrics to frustrate Keenan, who kept trying to slow the pace with clinches and takedowns. The crowd was fully behind Skipper, who, despite his recent losing streak, brought an undeniable energy back to the ring punctuating every big move with a confident shouts of self praise. Keenan eventually gained control by catching Skipper mid-leap and driving him into the mat with a spine-jarring side slam. From there, he dictated the tempo, grounding Skipper with knee strikes and working the neck with a series of submission holds designed to wear the high-flyer down. But every time Keenan tried to finish things, Skipper found a way to flip out, slip free, or hit a sudden counter. As the match hit the ten-minute mark, Skipper turned the tide hitting a belly-to-belly suplex, then his signature spinning heel kick that caught Keenan flush. The finish came moments later when Keenan attempted his MK Ultra DDT, only for Skipper to roll through, spring off the ropes, and nail the Play of the Day for the win.

Winner: Elix Skipper

After the bell, Skipper celebrated with renewed confidence, yelling into the camera, "Christopher Daniels, I'm still money and your a silly bitch!" Keenan, meanwhile, sat in the corner shaking his head look incredibly annoyed about the whole situation now having lost three matches in a row in the tournament.

* * *

A pre-recorded video package would being to play with a very familiar wrestler standing in a dim lit room with four druids flanking him wearing red robes and mask hiding their identities.

Raven would invite the fans to a storm that they simply would not be prepared for and talk about ROH being full of false prophets and men that were liars and were bathing in their own hypocrisy. For those who weren't aware of him he would introduce himself as Raven; an outcast, a reckoning, an opposition to cowards. He would then focus the attention on his disciples who he would claim had been carved and created from the shadows from their own suffering. Before declaring that a war in Ring of Honor had already begun and that it was his jobs to end the reign of false Gods and drag the wicked into the light before ending with his signature closer 'Quote the Raven...nevermore'.

* * *

- Match Two - X-Division Tournament -
| Paul London vs. Tony Mamaluke |
From the opening tie-up, the pace was blistering. Mamaluke immediately tried to drag London to the mat, chaining together holds and focusing on the leg looking to cut off London’s aerial offense before it could even start. But London’s speed and flexibility kept him alive; he rolled through armbars, flipped out of takedowns, and countered with lightning-fast headscissors that popped the crowd early. The story of the match was pure contrast: Mamaluke’s technical precision versus London’s reckless creativity. Each time Mamaluke grounded him, London found a way to break free usually by taking a risk. Midway through the match, London hit a running shooting star press for a near fall that had the fans on their feet. Mamaluke fired back with a brutal hanging guillotine choke, wrenching on London’s neck until he reached the ropes by sheer desperation. As the time limit approached, Mamaluke went for a top-rope superplex to end it, but London blocked it mid-air, knocking Mamaluke to the mat and steadying himself on the turnbuckle. With the crowd chanting his name, he launched himself into a breathtaking London Calling (Shooting Star Press), connecting perfectly and pinning Mamaluke for the three-count.

Winner: Paul London

The audience erupted into chants of “Paul Lon-don! Paul Lon-don!” as the young high-flyer pointed skyward, signaling that his sights were now firmly set on the top of the Pool B standings.

* * *

- Match Three - X-Division Tournament -
| Monty Brown vs. Shane Helms |
As Brown made his trademark entrance all intensity and swagger he was ambushed on the entrance ramp by two masked men of 'The Union' Windsor and Regent. The pair blindsided Brown with clubs to the back of the neck and hammered him into the guardrail before security rushed to break it up. The crowd erupted in boos as Windsor and Regent escaped through the side entrance, leaving Brown clutching his ribs and struggling to stand. Helms initially looked hesitant to continue, but when the referee checked on Brown, the Alpha Male insisted on competing. “Ring the damn bell!” he barked, refusing to give up the fight. From there, Helms smartly took advantage of Brown’s weakened condition, targeting the ribs and midsection with pinpoint kicks and submission holds. Brown showed flashes of his usual dominance hitting a heavy powerslam and a spinebuster that rattled the ring but every burst of energy was met with visible pain. Helms, sensing opportunity, repeatedly attacked the injured area with precision, wrapping Brown in an abdominal stretch and following with a Shining Wizard to the ribs. Brown somehow kicked out at two, roaring defiantly, but the damage had been done. When he tried to line up the Pounce, he staggered mid-run, clutching his ribs in agony. Helms seized the moment, catching him with another Shining Wizard square to the jaw and collapsing onto him for the three-count.

Winner: Shane Helms

Dave Prazak would comment that it seems like the war between The Kill Team and Doug Williams' Union had very much begun and had the ambush by Windsor and Regent been a damning blow on Brown's chances of becoming a first time champion.

* * *

The new ROH World Champion Shane Douglas would cut an angry promo in which he admonish Tony Mamaluke for still being without a win in the X-Division tournament and would make a clear cut and dry statement that if Mamaluke didn't advance to the finals at the Best in the World then he would be forcefully removed from 'The Franchise' with immediate effect and he doubted that Simon Diamond would even be interested in keeping Tony on the roster if he wasn't associated with the face of company, The Franchise - Shane Douglas!

* * *

- Main Event - X-Division Tournament -
| Bryan Danielson vs. Petey Williams |
The bell rang, and the tension in the arena was thick. Williams came out aggressively, looking to prove that he could hang with the American Dragon. He used his quickness to stay out of Danielson’s grasp, peppering him with low kicks and crisp arm drags. But Danielson’s patience and control quickly took over; he cut off Williams’ offense by grounding him with a deep side headlock and rolling through seamlessly into a series of painful holds. For much of the early going, Danielson wrestled like a man dissecting his opponent systematically targeting Williams’ left arm, snapping it back over his shoulder, and locking in a hammerlock that had Petey grimacing in pain. Every escape Williams attempted only seemed to lead to another transition, as Danielson moved effortlessly from hold to hold, never losing his composure. Midway through, Williams found an opening countering a suplex into a DDT, then connecting with a flying dropkick and a tornado DDT for a close two-count. The crowd rallied behind him as he called for the Canadian Destroyer, but when he went for it, Danielson shifted his weight and countered beautifully into a Regal Stretch in the center of the ring. Williams fought desperately, reaching for the ropes, but Danielson dragged him back to the middle and cranked the pressure With nowhere to go, Williams was forced to tap out.

Winner: Bryan Danielson

After the bell, Danielson stood over his opponent, offering a nod of respect before raising his arm to the crowd’s applause. Williams, clutching his shoulder, sat up with a look of disbelief aware that he had given his all but simply been outclassed by a man in peak form as the match would close with Steve Corino offering high praise to Bryan Danielson and from his point of view admit that he felt that the 'American Dragon' was in many ways the most talented members of the ROH roster.

The show would end with the commentary trio talking about the current standing of both pools in the X-Division tournament. It would be confirmed that Sterling James Keenan was now unable to catch either Danielson or Lynn and so therefore was now unable to advance to finals'' day. Then flipping to Pool B is that despite the fact that Styles and Mamaluke only currently had 1 point each one of the two men could still end up end up advancing if they managed to win their final two matches in the pool rounds with Prazak by closing that there were still two more weeks left in the round robin stage of the tournament.​

 

[Just Juice]

Episode Twelve

Honor 101 would begin with custom video package showing a highlight reel of some of the best and fast paced action that had featured on previous episodes as well as over major shows in the promotion's short history with particular focus on matches that featured men that were taking part in the X-Division Tournament as 'My Last Serenade' by Killswitch Engage would blast out at full volume. As the video package closed the cameras cuts to Pamela Paulshock who is standing with Simon Diamond. The Head of Talent Relations would confirm that once that the pool stage of the X-Division tournament, he was turning up the heat and everyone who had been given the last few weeks off would be stepping in the ring and would have to step up to mark. He would reveal that Shane Douglas would have to defend the ROH World Championship week in and week out leading up to Best in the World or if he lost the belt - whatever happened first. He would close by saying that Mercedes Martinez and WH Power should also lace up their boots and warm up, because they would also be defending their belts too.

* * *

- Match One - X-Division Tournament -
| Bryan Danielson vs. Sterling James Keenan |
Bryan Danielson, undefeated in tournament action and wrestling with frightening precision, took on Sterling James Keenan, whose frustration at repeated losses had pushed him into an increasingly desperate state. Keenan came out aggressive, attacking before the bell and driving Danielson into the corner with knees and elbows the most fired-up he had looked since the tournament began. But Danielson absorbed the early flurry, pushed Keenan off, and reset with eerie calm. From there, the match became a slow, methodical dissection. Danielson began twisting Keenan into knots on the mat, controlling his wrist, arm, and ankle with seamless transitions that left Keenan red-faced and scrambling. Every escape attempt Keenan tried only led him deeper into Danielson’s web of holds. At the five-minute mark, Danielson shifted his focus to Keenan’s leg snapping it down with a dragon screw, stomping on the knee, and wrenching it with a vicious single-leg crab. Keenan howled in pain but refused to tap, clawing toward the ropes. Danielson dragged him back to the center, transitioned into a heel hook, then into a knee bar, then back into the heel hook again, each hold more painful than the last. The referee repeatedly asked Keenan if he wanted to quit and each time, he scream would no each time getting loud and louder with his refusals. Finally, Danielson locked in a brutal inverted heel hook, twisting with all his weight as Keenan’s leg bent at an unnatural angle. Keenan shrieked, pounding the mat, and the referee had no choice but to stop the match, calling for the bell as officials immediately slid into the ring.

Winner: Bryan Danielson (by referee stoppage)

Keenan clutched his leg, rolling in agony as trainers stabilized it. Danielson didn’t gloat, didn’t posture he simply adjusted his wrist tape and quietly exited the ring, stone-faced, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Steve Corino even dropped a new moniker for Danielson: "America's Most Dangerous Man".

* * *

BG James would stand backstage with Konnan with is being noticeable that Sean Waltmann was no where to be seen. BG would say that Sean had let down the team at the Anniversary Show and that there was no way back for him. He was meant to be a veteran, but had looked nothing short of a complete pussy. James would reveal that he had hired the services of The Mob (Silvio Maritato, Eddie Kingston & BLK Jeez) with one single job - to make Sean's life a live hell. Konnan would chime in that if Sean had any common sense he would pack his bags and get on the first train home because there was nothing left for him in Ring of Honor, but he had no problem sliding him into a body bag and zipping it up all the way to the top.

* * *

- Match Two - X-Division Tournament -
| AJ Styles vs. Tony Mamaluke |
The second match of the night brought together two men who badly needed a win in the tournament or could find themselves missing out of the finals' day. From the opening bell, both men wrestled with urgency. Mamaluke immediately tried to pull Styles into deep water with grappling, dragging him down with a tight waistlock and chaining into a grounded arm wringer. Styles fought to his feet, reversing the hold into a snapmare and hitting a stiff kick between the shoulder blades, sending a message: this wasn’t going to be another slow, technical grind AJ intended to dictate the pace. Mamaluke responded with aggression, catching Styles with a drop toehold into a crossface, wrenching hard as the referee hovered nearby. Styles used his incredible flexibility to slip out, springboarding off the ropes into a crisp armdrag that shifted momentum. From there, the match slowly tilted in AJ’s favor. He hit a jumping enzuigiri, followed by his signature Phenomenal Dropkick, drawing cheers from the crowd. Mamaluke, however, refused to go down quietly. He targeted Styles’ arm twisting it around the top rope, locking in an armbar, and even transitioning into a modified octopus stretch that had AJ struggling. But the turning point came when Mamaluke went for a top-rope guillotine. Styles shoved him off, landing on the apron, then exploded into the ring with a springboard forearm that connected flush. Sensing the match was his, Styles lifted Mamaluke, hooked the arms, and planted him with the Styles Clash dead center to win the contest.

Winner: AJ Styles

After the match, Styles stood tall, wiping sweat from his eyes as the crowd applauded a truly impressive performance that threw AJ right back into contention. Meanwhile Tony chances had now completely evaporated as he knew not only could he now not become the inaugural champion, but also he was no longer part of 'The Franchise'.

* * *

Mikey Whipwreck would stand outside the office of Simon Diamond with a massive smile on his face and a contract on his hand. Whipwreck would reveal that he had been given the honor of facing Steve Douglas in his first defense of the world title and promised that Douglas would ended up being exactly like Christopher Daniels and be just another transitional champion without once successfully defending the strap. The commentary trio of Gorman, Prazak and Corino would all agree that they heavily doubted that Whipwreck would be the man to pull Douglas off the thrown.

* * *

- Match Three - X-Division Tournament -
| Paul London vs. Shane Helms |
Both men began cautiously, respecting each other’s speed and technique. The early chain wrestling was fast, fluid, and razor-precise headlocks reversed into headscissors, armdrags flipped into roll-ups, near-falls countered before the referee could even drop to one knee. The crowd responded with a sustained buzz, sensing they were watching two wrestlers at absolute peak rhythm. London struck first with impact, nailing a springboard forearm and a standing shooting star press for a near-fall. Helms responded with surgical precision, cutting him off mid-run with a knee to the gut and snapping him down into a grounded front chancery. Helms tried to slow the pace, grinding London into the mat, working the neck with tight holds and perfectly placed elbows. London fought back with heart launching into a drop-sault, then hitting a top-rope crossbody that nearly stole the win. Helms, staggering, fired back with a Shining Wizard attempt that London dodged at the last second, rolling him up for another two-count. As the match entered the final minutes, the pace became frantic. London hit the superkick. Helms hit the Shining Wizard. Both collapsed. Both kicked out. Both refused to break. With 30 seconds left, London climbed the ropes for London Calling, but Helms rolled away. Helms tried a second Shining Wizard London ducked and both men crashed into the ropes as the bell rang.

Result: Time Limit Draw

The crowd erupted into applause as both competitors lay flat on the canvas, exhausted but proud. When they finally made it to their feet, London extended his hand and Helms accepted, nodding with a quiet respect as the crowd cheered the gesture. The pair would be joined in the ring Amazing Red (Helm's tag team partner in Redscape) and all three seemed to communicate as if they were a tight knit unit and it was hard to believe that London and Helms had just gone toe-to-toe in a real barn burner only minutes ago.

* * *

Sara Del Rey who had been the wrestler to women's rumble at the Anniversary Show and thus earned a shot for the ROH Women's Championship. Sara would thank Simon Diamond and all of the ROH management for the weeks off since the pay per view and all the rest and relaxation had really allowed her to tune herself up and be in the best state both physically and mentally before she would challenge Mercedes Martinez for the strap on the 3rd of April on the show's opening contest. Sara would wish Mercedes the best of luck, because she was certainly going to need it. She would close the promo with a cheeky wink before sticking out her tongue and walking out of shot.

* * *

- Main Event - X-Division Tournament -
| Jerry Lynn vs. Petey Williams |
The final match of the evening promised a technical showcase Jerry Lynn, the veteran whose consistency had made him a quiet favorite in the X-Division Tournament, versus Petey Williams, the explosive Canadian prodigy known for his innovative offense and devastating finishing move. The crowd sensed from the opening lock-up that this would be a chess match fought at high speed. Petey struck first, using his agility to throw Lynn off balance with headscissors, crisp armdrags, and a rope-run tilt-a-whirl that had the crowd roaring. Lynn weathered the early storm, grounding Williams with a tight side headlock and transitioning into vintage chain wrestling hammerlocks, snapmares, wrist control constantly forcing Petey to adjust. Midway through, Petey surged again, connecting with a springboard dropkick and a tornado DDT for a convincing near fall. The fans rose to their feet when he signaled for the Canadian Destroyer, circling Lynn with confidence. But Lynn, the savvy veteran, rolled to the apron to stall the momentum and regain his bearings. When the match resumed, Lynn shifted gears attacking Petey’s midsection with knees and catching him mid-air with a brutal sit-out powerbomb that turned the tide. Williams fought back with desperation, ducking a clothesline and hitting a superkick that rocked Lynn. Again, he called for the Destroyer. This time he went for it hooking the arms but Lynn blocked it, muscled Williams upward, twisted his hips and hit the Canadian Destroyer on Petey Williams himself. The crowd erupted. Petey folded like an accordion. Lynn crawled into the cover and would beat the young Williams with his own move.

Winner: Jerry Lynn

Lynn sat up, breathing heavily, almost surprised at how cleanly the counter had landed. Petey remained flat on his back looking out for the count. As Lynn would enjoy his victory, Jeff Gorman on commentary would confirm that Jerry had just joined Bryan Danielson as having confirmed himself in the tournament's finals and that next week the pair would face each other in what could very easily being an epic contest so early into the second year of Ring of Honor with both men currently unbeaten. To add extra spice Steve Corino would chime in that because a winner was needed; if the fifteen minute time limit was reached next week then over-time measure would be put in place until a sole winner was found. The show would close with Dave Prazak quite enthusiastically saying he was very much looking to all the final pool stage matches next week and if anything had been gleamed it was that the X-Division was a great addition to Ring of Honor. ​